Tissue engineering is a rapidly advancing field in regenerative medicine, with much research directed towards the production of new biomaterial scaffolds with tailored properties to generate ...functional tissue for specific applications. Recently, principles of sustainability, eco-efficiency and green chemistry have begun to guide the development of a new generation of materials, such as cellulose, as an alternative to conventional polymers based on conversion of fossil carbon (e.g., oil) and finding technologies to reduce the use of animal and human derived biomolecules (e.g., foetal bovine serum). Much of this focus on cellulose is due to it possessing the necessary properties for tissue engineering scaffolds, including biocompatibility, and the relative ease with which its characteristics can be tuned through chemical modification to adjust mechanical properties and to introduce various surface modifications. In addition, the sustainability of producing and manufacturing materials from cellulose, as well as its modest cost, makes cellulose an economically viable feedstock. This review focusses specifically on the use of modified cellulose materials for tissue culturing applications. We will investigate recent techniques used to promote scaffold function through physical, biochemical and chemical scaffold modifications, and describe how these have been utilised to reduce reliance on the addition of matrix ligands such as foetal bovine serum.
Coordination polymers, including metal-organic frameworks, are a diverse class of materials with myriad properties and potential applications. However, a number of drawbacks have hindered the scaling ...up of such materials towards commercial applications. These include health and safety risks, environmental hazards, poor cost efficiency and sustainability shortfalls. In contrast to the systematic progress of organic green chemistry, which has contributed to improvements in the sustainability of chemical processing, the development of green chemistry in the context of coordination polymers has been fragmented and sporadic. This review describes advances in the use of green components: benign sustainable ligands and non-hazardous earth abundant metals. Additionally, solvent considerations, synthesis strategies for improved sustainability and the performance of coordination polymers relative to alternative competing materials are discussed.
A perspective on the development of coordination polymers based on sustainable benign ligands and metals, and green synthesis.
Access to safe drinking water is a human right, crucial to combat inequalities, reduce poverty and allow sustainable development. In many areas of the world, however, this right is not guaranteed, in ...part because of the lack of easily deployable diagnostic tools. Low-cost and simple methods to test water supplies onsite can protect vulnerable communities from the impact of contaminants in drinking water. Ideally such devices would also be easy to dispose of so as to leave no trace, or have a detrimental effect on the environment. To this aim, we here report the first paper microbial fuel cell (pMFC) fabricated by screen-printing biodegradable carbon-based electrodes onto a single sheet of paper, and demonstrate its use as a shock sensor for bioactive compounds (e.g. formaldehyde) in water. We also show a simple route to enhance the sensor performance by folding back-to-back two pMFCs electrically connected in parallel. This promising proof of concept work can lead to a revolutionizing way of testing water at point of use, which is not only green, easy-to-operate and rapid, but is also affordable to all.
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•First paper microbial fuel cell (pMFC) fabricated by screen-printing carbon electrodes onto a single sheet of paper.•pMFC use as a shock sensor for formaldehyde in water demonstrated.•Sensor performance enhanced by folding back-to-back two pMFCs electrically connected in parallel.
Abstract
With increasing numbers infected by SARS-CoV-2, understanding long-COVID is essential to inform health and social care support. A Scottish population cohort of 33,281 laboratory-confirmed ...SARS-CoV-2 infections and 62,957 never-infected individuals were followed-up via 6, 12 and 18-month questionnaires and linkage to hospitalization and death records. Of the 31,486 symptomatic infections,1,856 (6%) had not recovered and 13,350 (42%) only partially. No recovery was associated with hospitalized infection, age, female sex, deprivation, respiratory disease, depression and multimorbidity. Previous symptomatic infection was associated with poorer quality of life, impairment across all daily activities and 24 persistent symptoms including breathlessness (OR 3.43, 95% CI 3.29–3.58), palpitations (OR 2.51, OR 2.36–2.66), chest pain (OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.96–2.23), and confusion (OR 2.92, 95% CI 2.78–3.07). Asymptomatic infection was not associated with adverse outcomes. Vaccination was associated with reduced risk of seven symptoms. Here we describe the nature of long-COVID and the factors associated with it.
•Simple and low-cost, paper-based probe for detection of bacteria in water.•Electrode surface functionalised with carboxyl groups and with the lectin concanavalin A.•Sensor dynamic range: ...103–106 CFU mL−1.
According to the World Health Organisation, worldwide waterborne diseases are responsible for nearly two million human deaths annually. Rapid and at-site screen of pathogenic microorganisms in drinking water can help to markedly reduce this number. Here we report an innovative, simple and low-cost, paper-based probe for detection of bacteria in water, fabricated by screen printing carbon electrodes onto hydrophobic paper. Electrochemical characterization of the printed electrodes confirmed fast-electron transfer, with an estimated electroactive surface area of 0.25 cm2. The electrode surface was functionalised with carboxyl groups, prior to covalent immobilization of the lectin Concanavalin A (Con A), used as the biorecognition element. The system was then tested as an impedimetric sensor for bacteria in water. A linear increase in the probe charge transfer resistance was observed for bacterial concentrations ranging from 103 to 106 CFU mL−1, with an estimated lower detection limit of 1.9 × 103 CFU mL−1. Considering its remarkable simplicity, cost-effectiveness and biodegradability, the sensor here reported could be an attractive solution for portable testing kits that address the challenges of traditional time-consuming and expensive lab-based analyses.
Surface hydrophobization of cellulose nanomaterials has been used in the development of nanofiller-reinforced polymer composites and formulations based on Pickering emulsions. Despite the well-known ...effect of hydrophobic domains on self-assembly or association of water-soluble polymer amphiphiles, very few studies have addressed the behavior of hydrophobized cellulose nanomaterials in aqueous media. In this study, we investigate the properties of hydrophobized cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and their self-assembly and amphiphilic properties in suspensions and gels. CNCs of different hydrophobicity were synthesized from sulfated CNCs by coupling primary alkylamines of different alkyl chain lengths (6, 8, and 12 carbon atoms). The synthetic route permitted the retention of surface charge, ensuring good colloidal stability of hydrophobized CNCs in aqueous suspensions. We compare surface properties (surface charge, ζ potential), hydrophobicity (water contact angle, microenvironment probing using pyrene fluorescence emission), and surface activity (tensiometry) of different hydrophobized CNCs and hydrophilic CNCs. Association of hydrophobized CNCs driven by hydrophobic effects is confirmed by X-ray scattering (SAXS) and autofluorescent spectroscopy experiments. As a result of CNC association, CNC suspensions/gels can be produced with a wide range of rheological properties depending on the hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance. In particular, sol–gel transitions for hydrophobized CNCs occur at lower concentrations than hydrophilic CNCs, and more robust gels are formed by hydrophobized CNCs. Our work illustrates that amphiphilic CNCs can complement associative polymers as modifiers of rheological properties of water-based systems.
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A novel mechanism of heat-triggered gelation for oxidised cellulose nanofibrils (OCNF) is reported. We demonstrate that a synergistic approach combining rheology, small-angle X-ray ...scattering (SAXS) and saturation transfer difference NMR (STD NMR) experiments enables a detailed characterisation of gelation at different length scales. OCNF dispersions experience an increase in solid-like behaviour upon heating as evidenced by rheological studies, associated with enhanced interfibrillar interactions measured using SAXS. Interactions result in an increased fibrillar overlap and increased population of confined water molecules monitored by STD NMR. In comparison, cationic cellulose nanofibrils (produced by reaction of cellulose with trimethylglycidylammonium chloride) were found to be heat-unresponsive.
The structure of dispersions of TEMPO-oxidised cellulose nanofibrils (OCNF), at various concentrations, in water and in NaCl aqueous solutions, was probed using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). ...OCNF are modelled as rod-like particles with an elliptical cross-section of 10 nm and a length greater than 100 nm. As OCNF concentration increases above 1.5 wt%, repulsive interactions between fibrils are evidenced, modelled by the interaction parameter νRPA > 0. This corresponds to gel-like behaviour, where G' > G'' and the storage modulus, G', shows weak frequency dependence. Hydrogels can also be formed at OCNF concentration of 1 wt% in 0.1 M NaCl(aq). SAXS patterns shows an increase of the intensity at low angle that is modelled by attractive interactions (νRPA < 0) between OCNF, arising from the screening of the surface charge of the fibrils. Results are supported by ζ potential and cryo-TEM measurements.
The aim of the present study is to produce flexible, flame-retardant, water-resistant and biodegradable composite materials. The ultimate goal of this research is to develop simple processes for the ...production of bio-based materials capable of replacing non-degradable substrates in printed circuit board. Cellulose was chosen as a renewable resource, and dissolved in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ionic liquid to prepare a cellulosic continuous film. Since flame retardancy is an important criterion for electronic device applications and cellulose is naturally flammable, we incorporated ammonium polyphosphate (APP) as a flame-retardant filler to increase the flame retardancy of the produced materials. The developed material achieved a UL-94 HB rating in the flammability test, while the cellulose sample without APP failed the test. Two hydrophobic agents, ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate and trichloro(octadecyl)silane were applied by a simple dip-coating technique to impart hydrophobicity to the cellulose-APP composites. Dynamic mechanical analysis indicated that the mechanical properties of the cellulosic materials were not significantly affected by the addition of APP or the hydrophobic agents. Moreover, the biodegradability of the cellulosic materials containing APP increased owing to the presence of the cellulase enzyme. The hydrophobic coating slightly decreased the biodegradability of cellulose-APP, but it was still higher than that of pure cellulose film.
BackgroundWhile it is now apparent clinical sequelae (long COVID) may persist after acute COVID-19, their nature, frequency and aetiology are poorly characterised. This study aims to regularly ...synthesise evidence on long COVID characteristics, to help inform clinical management, rehabilitation strategies and interventional studies to improve long-term outcomes.MethodsA living systematic review. Medline, CINAHL (EBSCO), Global Health (Ovid), WHO Global Research on COVID-19 database, LitCovid and Google Scholar were searched till 17 March 2021. Studies including at least 100 people with confirmed or clinically suspected COVID-19 at 12 weeks or more post onset were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the tool produced by Hoy et al. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics and meta-analyses to estimate prevalence.ResultsA total of 39 studies were included: 32 cohort, 6 cross-sectional and 1 case–control. Most showed high or moderate risk of bias. None were set in low-income countries and few included children. Studies reported on 10 951 people (48% female) in 12 countries. Most included previously hospitalised people (78%, 8520/10 951). The longest mean follow-up time was 221.7 (SD: 10.9) days post COVID-19 onset. Over 60 physical and psychological signs and symptoms with wide prevalence were reported, most commonly weakness (41%; 95% CI 25% to 59%), general malaise (33%; 95% CI 15% to 57%), fatigue (31%; 95% CI 24% to 39%), concentration impairment (26%; 95% CI 21% to 32%) and breathlessness (25%; 95% CI 18% to 34%). 37% (95% CI 18% to 60%) of patients reported reduced quality of life; 26% (10/39) of studies presented evidence of reduced pulmonary function.ConclusionLong COVID is a complex condition with prolonged heterogeneous symptoms. The nature of studies precludes a precise case definition or risk evaluation. There is an urgent need for prospective, robust, standardised, controlled studies into aetiology, risk factors and biomarkers to characterise long COVID in different at-risk populations and settings.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020211131.
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